'cause learning is a riot.

Fall 2011 Workshops

ASL-English Interpretation

This workshop provided an introduction to the Deaf Culture and community, showing a video that demonstrates some of the behavioural and cultural differences between Deaf and non-Deaf people. Explored concepts of collectivist and individualist societies, and described some career choices regarding professional interpreting, how to get into the field and where to get training in Canada. A representative from the Deaf community also introduced American Sign Language and taught some fundamental conversational signs that can get you through a basic interaction with a Deaf individual in Canada. Demonstrated how interpreting works with ASL and English.

Breadmaking 101

BREAD. The smell is comforting. The work is tiring. The result is delicious (and made by YOU!). We learned about baking bread: how it’s fun, awesome, stress-relieving, and appetite-satisfying. Students learned about starters, yeast (not so scary! I promise!), rise times, kneading techniques, flours, types of bread, and the difficulty of waiting patiently for that perfectly-browned loaf of deliciousness to be done. This course was taught by a student for students- YOU TOO can shape your own delicious, fragrant destiny.

DIY Skillshare #1: Sewing Basics

Sewing Basics was a facilitated skill share around simple sewing techniques, quick fixes, and practical projects with a goal of participants learning some basic skills and taking home a completed project. The class featured facilitated discussion on what is D.I.Y.?, the politics of crafting, the tradition of community crafting, women and handcrafts, the re-emergence in recent years of crafting as political protest, skill sharing, gender and race issues, classism and elitism in consumer culture.

DIY Skillshare #2: Zine Basics

Zine Basics was a facilitated workshop on making zines. The workshop walked participants through making our own group zine and participants will leave with a copy of said zine. The class shared the history of zines and other D.I.Y. literature (samizdat publications, anarchist printing presses, etc), crafting and youth/punk culture, reclaiming means of production, explored the many ways that zines are used as tools: for information distribution, self-expression, and much more. The class taught some formatting and binding skills and encourage participants to make zines outside of the classroom, providing helpful hints and tips to do so thriftily.

DIY Skillshare #3: You Can Crochet!

This class focused on everything a person might need to get started in crochet, including basic stitches and techniques, reading patterns and building your own patterns for simple items. Crocheters of all skill levels, from beginner through advanced, were welcome to join in as while there was facilitator to help out and get everyone on board with the basics, there’s always something to be learnt from others with experience in the craft. There was also a focus on using alternative materials such as fabric and plastic scraps, as well as recycled yarn as opposed to new materials.

Non-Violent Communication

This 2-hour workshop included an introduction and overview of the NVC paradigm, as well as a discussion of the importance of self-awareness and techniques for relaxation and centering. Communication skills are a crucial element of healthy and productive interactions, relationships, and activism. We also explored the process and methodology of non-violent communication, which includes: observation, feelings, needs, making a request.